Shaheen, Ayotte Cry Foul Over Exclusion of N.H. Swimmer From Paralympics
boston.cbslocal.com/.../
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., are objecting to a decision not to allow a New Hampshire record-setting swimmer to participate in the International Paralympic World Swimming Championships next week in Montreal.
Paralympic officials say Victoria Arlen is ineligible because they don’t believe her disability is permanent...
This article explains a little more:
www.seacoastonline.com/.../20130811-SPORTS-308110341
The dispute stems from a recent medical report that stated if Arlen got years of physical therapy, she might be able to walk again.
Dr. Michael Levy, of Johns Hopkins University, responded to the committee.
"It will take many months to years to get Ms. Arlen back on her feet. I did not mean to imply that Ms. Arlen would be able to walk quickly," Levy wrote. "Please do not misconstrue my plan as a statement of permanence of her disability."
Victoria Arlen was one of 3 US swimmers caught in classification controversy at the Paralympics. She was originally deemed ineligible then; decision reversed on protest. Mallory Weggemann and Justin Zook were re-classified - protests dismissed. www.bbc.co.uk/.../19429915
It should be noted, minimum impairment for IPC Swimming is quite low. Club feet is eligible. Amputation of half a hand is eligible. Marathon swimmer Susie Maroney would probably have been eligible (she has very mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy)
If a hypothetical swimmer was paralyzed by an illness, then later recovered enough function in their legs to walk (with or without aids), they could still be IPC eligible - so long as, after their recovery, they still met minimum disability criteria (eg have leg muscle weakness). Their classification would change if/when they regained more leg function.
Victoria Arlen was previously competing in the S6 classification. Minimum disability physical impairment is S10. She can improve a lot before she's not disabled enough to compete. It's the "she might improve" uncertainty that's causing a problem. Athletes with fluctuating impairments like MS are usually permanent review classification status. No idea why IPC Swimming didn't go with that option here.
Victoria Arlen was one of 3 US swimmers caught in classification controversy at the Paralympics. She was originally deemed ineligible then; decision reversed on protest. Mallory Weggemann and Justin Zook were re-classified - protests dismissed. www.bbc.co.uk/.../19429915
It should be noted, minimum impairment for IPC Swimming is quite low. Club feet is eligible. Amputation of half a hand is eligible. Marathon swimmer Susie Maroney would probably have been eligible (she has very mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy)
If a hypothetical swimmer was paralyzed by an illness, then later recovered enough function in their legs to walk (with or without aids), they could still be IPC eligible - so long as, after their recovery, they still met minimum disability criteria (eg have leg muscle weakness). Their classification would change if/when they regained more leg function.
Victoria Arlen was previously competing in the S6 classification. Minimum disability physical impairment is S10. She can improve a lot before she's not disabled enough to compete. It's the "she might improve" uncertainty that's causing a problem. Athletes with fluctuating impairments like MS are usually permanent review classification status. No idea why IPC Swimming didn't go with that option here.
